Truex Jr. Penalized 150 Points

[Schwartz Fan]

Truex Jr. Penalized 150 Points



DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR has issued penalties, fines and suspensions to the car No. 1 team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as a result of rules infractions found last week at Daytona International Speedway.

The car driven by Martin Truex Jr., was found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-3.8A (roof of the car does not conform to the specifications) of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rule book.

As a result, Truex Jr. and car owner Teresa Earnhardt have been penalized 150 championship driver and 150 championship owner points, respectively. Both the crew chief, Kevin Manion, and the car chief, Gary Putnam, have been suspended from the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, suspended from NASCAR until Aug. 27 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Additionally, Manion has been fined $100,000.

The infractions were discovered July 3 during opening day inspection.

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[wopher]

HOLY CRAP! What a BITE

[24girl]

ouch!!!

[24girl]

CUP: DEI’s Mistake Proves Costly

Written by: Tom Jensen
07/08/2008 - 05:16 PM
Harrisburg, N.C.



As expected, NASCAR threw the book at Dale Earnhardt Inc. and driver Martin Truex Jr. late Tuesday afternoon, with 150-point owner and driver penalties and six-week suspensions for crew chief Kevin Manion and the car chief Gary Putnam. Manion was also fined $100,000.

The net effect is that Truex’s hopes of making the Chase for the Sprint Cup, which already were tenuous, have now been devastated. The penalties dropped Truex from 14th in points to 18th, 238 points behind 12th-place Tony Stewart, with just eight races to go until the Chase field is set.

The difference between making the Chase and missing it is literally millions of dollars to the team and driver in bonuses and incentives. Last year, for example, champion Jimmie Johnson earned a point-fund bonus of $7,317,499 for winning the championship, while 10th-place Kevin Harvick earned an extra $1,366,535.

Those sums don’t count sponsor incentive payments to the driver and team for qualifying for the Chase. Those, too, can easily add up to seven figures, depending on the sponsor and where a driver finishes in the final standings.

And with Truex in the final year of his contract with DEI and so far not re-signed for 2009 and beyond, this penalty could have a chilling effect on the team’s attempts to strike a new deal. Add it all up and it’s potentially a huge and extremely costly mistake for the team.

Truex’s DEI Chevy failed July 3rd opening-day inspection prior to practice for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway because its roof did not fit NASCAR’s templates.

The penalties NASCAR issued late Tuesday afternoon were not unexpected. In fact, they were identical to those issued to Haas-CNC Racing for illegal rear wings on the team’s two Chevrolets prior to the Coca-Cola 600 in May. When NASCAR introduced its new-generation race car in 2007, it said that it would be extremely vigilant in enforcing rules violations and so far, that has proven true.

Dale Earnhardt Inc. vice president of motorsports operations John Story issued the following statement after NASCAR’s ruling: “We are still trying to understand how the car fit our templates multiple times at the shop, but we respect NASCAR’s determination that one of our cars did not exactly conform to their template at the track. We have not decided if we will pursue our options to appeal. Under NASCAR’s rules, we have 10 days to notify the sanctioning body of any appeal.”

[Dirt track racer]

That is an expensive OPPS.!

[wopher]

That is a BIG OUCHY OOPS!

[revvinjim]

I don't think he is going to make the Chase this year.

[wopher]

Not after that BITE ????

[blueyedfairy_1]

I want everyone honest opinion about this...

Do you really think its fair to fine the driver of the car? Im not just talking about this incident... Im talking about overall.. Going back to last year, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Jr, IMO when it has something to do with the car I dont think the drivers should be penalized as driver... (if the driver is the owner then thats different)

[Schwartz Fan]

Originally Posted by blueyedfairy_1 I want everyone honest opinion about this... Do you really think its fair to fine the driver of the car? Im not just talking about this incident... Im talking about overall.. Going back to last year, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Jr, IMO when it has something to do with the car I dont think the drivers should be penalized as driver... (if the driver is the owner then thats different)

Yep 100% if you want to call it a team sport then it is the entire team that should be effected.



And if the first car doesn't clear tech, too bad give them ONE chance to fix the problem, if it doesn't pass the second time or the car can't be fixed too damn bad send them home!